I love the way you say goodmorning {Leo}

[Rachel Cohen R6]

Rachel Cohen, she was the only one allowed in his room. She was the only person on the planet who got to witness her best friend’s meltdown before his father’s wedding. The engagement was only announced three months prior to the date of the happy occasion, and she could see that the short notice didn’t help him soak everything in. His green eyes normally twinkling with an inside joke he kept to himself where filled with worry. Worry that he would forget to do something, to greet someone, to call one of his new stepmother’s family by the wrong name. He was going crazy; the only thing that kept him anchored was Rachel. There was music coming from the backyard of the large venue where the reception was being held. Noalan and Rachel both glanced through the window of the room. The happiness on Noalan’s father’s face was unmistakable. But Rachel and Nole where sharing the same thought, as they often did. Did it have to be her? Not that there was anything wrong with her entirely. She was actually a darling woman. But her worst mistake was that she was Leo Keane’s mother, and that was enough for Nole and Rachel to despise her. Another perky chord of music rolled into the room as Nole finished off another drink. Both of there eyes fell of the happy couple and landed on Leo. Nole quickly got up and began to fix his shirt. No more wallowing, he thought to himself. But Rachel’s eyes lingered on that smirk that she could recognize anywhere, it was visible, even from there hiding spot. “Rachel, please don’t tell me you’re looking at my step brother?” Nole asked bitterly and questionably, his eyes now on his best friend. She straightened up and moved from the mirror, one last look for Leo, but he had moved on. She walked over to Nole straighten his bow tie. “Nole, that ship has sailed and if I recall it sank shortly after its departure.” He smiled; he had no reason but to believe her.

“So, we have a party to attend.” He told her outstretching his arm so she could take it. She smiled pleasantly and accepted his offer. But her mind went to another party, to another time she and Nole walked arm and arm into another party. It was another trap. Her mind skipped over the dirty details of that event, she felt herself blush slightly, but it passed. She instead focused on the conversation she had has that next morning with the same guy who was holding her up, maybe in more ways then one. She remembered he looked distressed when she had seen him. Very much like in the room earlier. Though the Keane boy was still on her mind, she pushed him into the dark corners as she collapsed on Nole’s bed waiting for him to tell her everything. You didn’t pry with him, he just told you, or he didn’t. But instead of being a total male and not noticing what she was wearing he recognized that it was her clothes at all. He knew that jacket. And her make-up looked like it had been done the night before. Her hair was a bit tangled …. He came to the conclusion himself. That’s what got him to confess what was bothering him. She believed his words exactly where …”Oh god, Keane got you too?” Later they determined that the mystery woman Bradley had been seeing was Leo’s mother, and that they where getting married. Everyone was thrilled, Rachel was sure.

If anything was to be said about Claire Hansen, now Claire Bounds, was that she impeccable taste. The wedding was beautiful, for lack of a better word. Rachel marveled at the detail. Nole led them to his father and his new bride. Rachel smiled genuinely on seeing them twirl each other across the floor. “Claire, you were a beautiful bride.” Rachel told her. It was fact. “You too look darling.” Rachel smiled appreciatively. She hoped she looked good. What she was wearing only made her better features stand out more. The dress was beautiful, made just for this occasion. She was sure she would never wear it again. She was half considering burning it after today. She and Nole made a bit more small talk with them, but he gently led her away, she turned to wave goodbye, her natural dark wavy hair turning with her. Nole was a good friend. He could see something was distracting so he led her to the dance floor. If he was incredible at anything it was dancing. So they danced nice and smooth. Her eyes searched for Leo. He was no where to be found. She was sure the only reason she was thinking about him was because she was seeing him. She hadn’t though much about during the summer. Most of the time she was helping with the wedding and dealing with the A.J thing. She couldn’t believe they where finally over. ‘Rachel, don’t make such dirty looks, your face will freeze that way.” Noalan told her with a laugh. She joined in, her laughter effortless and easy when she was around him. “Yes mother.” She replied.

Caught up in their moment, neither Rachel nor Noalan noticed the person approaching them, and both where surprised when Leo Keane himself asked to cut in. Rachel’s eyes where begging Nole to stay, but she couldn’t say anything. She knew she had to confront her monsters. It didn’t help that her body was a traitor. Her heart raced, and her head pounded and she was seeing what she loved about this wicked guy. She waited until Nole walked away; looking for Randy she was sure, before she spoke to Leo. She hadn’t see him since that morning. She felt some what guilty for just leaving him, but she knew she had to leave him before he left her. It was just the way it was. She couldn’t help the need to apologize. “Leo, I …” She began looking at anything but him. This was going to be harder then she thought.